Hornets' Al Jefferson grabs season-high 17 rebounds in losing effort

by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(2/22/15) Hornets center Al Jefferson scored just eight points on a poor 4 of 16 shooting from the field in Charlotte's 92-81 loss to the Mavericks Sunday. However, Jefferson was able to contribute elsewhere, grabbing a season-high 17 rebounds on the night.

It was his fourth straight game with double digit rebounds and Jefferson has done so in six of his last seven games. He added three assists and three steals to his totals.

Hornets C Al Jefferson doubles up vs. Pistons

''When we get our full team back and get some of these guys back from injuries, we'll be feeling good,'' Jefferson said after the game, per the Associated Press. ''But the guys who are here right here, right now got to do a good job and keep us in the mix until we get our full team back.''

Jefferson also racked up four blocks in the game, his highest total since blocking seven shots on Jan. 24, while kicking in two assists in 29 minutes. The Hornets take a three-game losing streak into the All-Star break.

Hornets' Al Jefferson goes for 30 points on Sunday

Jefferson shot 13-22 from the field. He sunk four of his five free throws, finishing with a team-high 30 points. Jefferson was also active on the boards, picking up 13 rebounds. Twelve of those rebounds came on the defensive end of the court. It was Jefferson's 14th double-double of the season.

Hornets' Al Jefferson scores 18 points in loss Saturday to 76ers

by Brandon Wise | CBSSports.com

(2/7/15) Hornets center Al Jefferson scored 18 points on 9 of 17 shooting from the field in Charlotte's 89-81 loss to the Sixers Saturday.

Jefferson also grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots on the night. In his last five games, Jefferson is averaging 15 points and 10.8 rebounds. He and the Hornets will look to bounce back Sunday against the Pacers.

Al Jefferson scores six straight to lead Hornets past Wizards

by Shawn Krest | CBSSports.com

(2/5/15) Hornets F Al Jefferson struggled for most of the night, but he came up big when it counted in the 94-87 win over the Wizards.

Jefferson scored six straight points in a one-minute, 51-second span late in the fourth quarter, erasing a three-point deficit and putting the Hornets in front to stay.

Jefferson finished the night with eight points on 3-of-12 shooting, adding 10 rebounds. Prior to his fourth-quarter outburst, he was just 1-for-7, with two points.

The Hornets wiped out an 11-point second-half deficit to win their third straight. The team plays next at the 76ers on Saturday.

The then-Bobcats signed Al Jefferson last summer with the intention of making him their offensive centerpiece, and he lived up to all possible expectations in his first year in Charlotte. Jefferson got off to a slow start due to an ankle injury last season, but still ended up averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, his best totals since 2008-09. Jefferson was even better from January 1 on, as he averaged 24.0 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists over his last 50 games after overcoming that ankle injury. Jefferson might just be the top Fantasy option among all centers entering this season for the now-Hornets, assuming the plantar fasciitis issue that ended his postseason early does not become a lingering issue. Jefferson could end up being a first-round value on Draft Day in all formats.
(Updated 8/26/14)